Tallahassee man charged with improperly touching 9-year-old girl on trip to Gainesville
Staff report
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Justin Llewellyn Westerman, 42, of Tallahassee, has been transported to the Alachua County Jail to face charges of lewd/lascivious molestation of a nine-year-old girl during a trip to Gainesville in 2017.
The victim disclosed the incident to law enforcement in 2022 in Tallahassee; she said Westerman had brought her to Gainesville to go to the Butterfly Museum, and they stayed at a nearby hotel. She said Westerman got into the shower with her, even though she tried to stop him, and she felt his genitals touch her back; she also said Westerman touched her genitals under her clothing while she was in bed. The victim said this occurred on both of the two nights they stayed at the hotel.
Gainesville Police Department was informed about these allegations in March 2026 by Leon County Sheriff’s Office, which was conducting an investigation into incidents that happened in Leon County. A GPD detective called the victim, who reportedly confirmed the above information.
In June 2026, Westerman was formally charged in Alachua County with two counts of lewd/lascivious molestation of a victim under the age of 12. Westerman’s criminal history is not public because those documents are not posted for sexual offenses. He is being held without bail pending a hearing on a motion from the State Attorney’s Office to hold him without bail until trial; if the judge denies the motion, bail will be set at that hearing.
Articles about arrests are based on reports from law enforcement agencies. The charges listed are taken from the arrest report and/or court records and are only accusations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
He should be charged with rape of a child. He touched her genitals for cry out loud. Criminals like him need harsher punishments.
Where were her parents?
What’s he doing taking a 9 year old girl to a hotel & the butterfly museum?
This was very traumatizing to this young girl…he should go to prison for a long time for doing this..
Mandatory life sentences for anyone convicted of any sexual crime against children. Period. No excuses.
This is awful. Why the long wait to report this? Out of suspicion I hope these are legitimate accusations and not the ‘victim’ manipulating the system to her advantage. It is very scary that anyone can end up in jail under false accusations for a very long time. I realize this is an unpopular view of the story few would consider but it is something that should be vetted thoroughly.
Many victims are ashamed of coming forward for various reasons and some even unfortunately take their lives as a result. To be charged and arrested for such severe accusations, there is PLENTY of evidence that we, the public, have (and should never have) access to. The victim blaming bit is getting old 🤮